Every now and then, if weÕre
paying careful attention, we get a glimpse of how innovation can dramatically
change the future. IÕm not talking about how the newest generation of cell
phone can improve our social life, but actually witnessing the possibility of a
world that was previously unimaginable. For me, that moment came in the parking
lot of Michigan State University in 1997 when I had the rare opportunity to
drive General Motors delightful electric sports car, the EV1.

Fast, sleek and silent,
driving the EV1 was like slipping out of a dream and into the future. From the
minute I first slid into elegant leather seats and keyed in the five-digit run
code, I knew that I was experiencing something unique. I waited for the sound
of the carÕs engine revving to life, only to realize, rather sheepishly, that
there was no engine noise. The only indicator that the carÕs fully electric
engine was running was the single digital display monitor.

As I shifted into drive and
headed out of the parking lot, a muted hum, akin to a very distant sewing
machine, rose and fell with the speed of the car. The only other sound that the
car made was a beeper alarm that was triggered by the turn signals. The car ran
so quietly, the alarm had been installed as a warning to pedestrians.

Once on the main road, I hit
the accelerator and the car surged effortless to 100 km/hour, a speed I could
have maintained for an hour and a half before the carÕs battery pack would need
recharging. The car performed beautifully on its self-sealing, puncture
resistant tires, installed because there was no room to carry a spare tire in
the tiny two-seater. I turned up the carÕs fine stereo system, sat back and enjoyed
the ride.

I was ready to buy the car
right on the spot, but unfortunately, I couldnÕt. Nor could anyone else. The
EV1, General MotorsÕ beautiful, functional and environmentally sound sports car
was never sold. Introduced in 1996 on a lease-only basis, the car was only ever
available in California.

Sadly, IÕm one of the very
few people outside of California who actually had a chance to drive the EV1.
When I test drove it in 1997, it was explained that the carÕs limited
distribution was because the design engineers still had to work on how to
improve the carÕs battery function in cold weather. I was assured that it was
only a matter of time before the EV1 would be made available in more rugged
climates.

It never happened. And yet
despite the tiny market where it was available, the EV1 was a resounding
success. Anyone lucky enough to lease one, loved it. While its two-seats and
very limited cargo space disqualified it from being a family vehicle, there was
a huge market for the EV1 as a commuter car. And yet in 2000, one year after
the company purchased the Hummer name brand, GM Vice-president Harry Pearce
announced that there was Òno particular needÓ for the company to continue
building electric cars.In 2003,
the company started recalling all leased vehicles, claiming that it could
longer provide parts for service. Those unwilling to relinquish their magical
electric cars got home visits from tow trucks sent to impound the vehicles.

Activists who offered GM $
1.9 million US to buy the cars outright were soon dismayed to discover that the
entire fleet had been crushed, thus ending one very bright and shining moment
in automotive history. Not surprisingly, the demise of the EV1 had nothing to
do with the carÕs functionality, and everything to do with the oil industry
that stood to lose billions of dollars if the idea of the electric vehicle
really took off.

Ironically, the annihilation
of the EV1 comes at a time when the price of gas and concern about the very
real impact of climate change has even the most stalwart SUV owner starting to
think about fuel efficiency and alternatives to the gas-guzzlers that currently
clog our highways. Sadly, their concern is too little, and way too late, to
save the magical EV1.

RELATED WEBSITES:

This week marks the release
of the Sony Pictures Classics film, ÒWho killed the electric car?Ó While itÕs
unlikely that the film will be coming to a theatre near you, SonyÕs website
about the film has some pretty amazing information. Check out ÒWho killed the
electric car?Ó at Sony Classics

This week, to mark the launch
of ÒWho killed the electric car?Ó, Treehugger TV, an online environmentally
responsible news source, is featuring a special segment on the movie. To view, visit
Treehugger TV